Nothing personal. I'm sure Dr. or Mr. Denis Brown was a very nice guy. I'm sure he was/is very nice and his bar and shoes combo has helped countless babies. My son is miserable. He refuses to even attempt to move with that thing on. He fell asleep last night sitting up. So, I suppose I exaggerated. He's willingly moved once in that thing - last night when he moved from his tummy to sitting. In which position he fell asleep. We had to go in and move him onto his tummy. This morning he had a small round red splotch on his good foot (not an uncommon issue, I know), so we've kept that spot covered with a bandaid today.
Today, the time out of the brace was great. E is figuring out how to move without the cast, although it's mostly a scoot with minimal pressure on the right leg. He pulled himself to stand a handful of times today, which I think is a good sign, although he's pretty much doing everything with only using his left foot. We played with two of the kitchen drawers that he's allowed in (they're stacked on top of each other and basically hold my plastic storage container collection). He stood in front of the drawers pushing them in and pulling them back, and I tried to help him put weight on that right foot when he leaned in that direction. We also did several stretches during the diaper changes that coincided with no brace. I didn't think stretching his foot was worth taking the stupid thing off and putting it back on. He positively wails any time we put anything on his foot - a sock, a regular shoe, and the shoe/bar combo. His foot is still so sensitive, and I think that the front of his ankle is raw from the prolonged time in a cast.
So I was very careful (I logged it) to make sure E spent exactly 18 hours in the bar and shoes today. No more, and no less. It was so sad to watch, though. He's such a mover, and until we actually got the cast off, all of my friends and I were almost taking bets as to how long it would take him to figure out walking. Now, however, he's awake and attempting to play for roughly 4 hours or so per day strapped to a bar. And he sits wherever I put him, making no effort to move, roll, or even shift his backside to another position on the carpet. I put him in sitting, he stays in sitting. I put him on his tummy, he stays on his tummy. And cries - he really doesn't like being on his tummy with the bar. We do it anyway, because he needs to spend time in the positions in order to get used to it, but today was very long, and both of us are exhausted.
In frequent conversations today, DH and I have agreed that we are going to pursue getting E a Dobbs bar. Our insurance won't cover it, as they'll have already gotten the bill for the DB bar (whether they'll pay for that or not is anyone's guess), but we both agree that giving E that little bit of movement within the bar will greatly increase his comfort, although I'm sure it isn't perfect and he'll need to get used to that one too. We're going to see DH's family next week, so it'll be the following week before we can get in to see a local orthotist I've worked with before. They've never ordered a Dobbs bar either, but they're willing to look into getting approval to carry it so they can order it for us. We'll pay out of pocket, but like I said, today sucked. I'm willing to do just about anything to A) prevent his CVT from recurring and B) make it easier on E in any way, shape, or form.
Bath time went as well as could be expected, I suppose. The sensitivity in E's foot made him miserable for the first 5 minutes or so, but DH stuck with it, being cheerful and passing E multiple toys and singing songs until he had our little boy laughing and having fun in the bath again. After the day I'd had, I admit I was hiding in the kitchen for the tears with my glass of wine.
I'm sure each day will be a bit easier. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, so we'll have church and baking to keep both of us occupied. The bar schedule has him free and clear for church service, so that should be fun. Everyone in our church family is so excited to see him cast-free, and he loves it there. With all of the special music and lights, it should be a beautiful service to (hopefully) help me re-set my brain on what's important. If you are reading this, may God bless you during this special season. Merry Christmas!
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